First Entry.
At 11:40, the valedictory service was wrapping up with award presentations. Soon it was time to award the graduating students. Peju was the first on the list for best student of the year, but no one responded.
"Peju Jacobs ,best student of the year. Where are you?" Principal Stanley called again.
"She is not around sir, she did not come."Jasmine offered a reply.
"Really? wow that's odd", he paused for a moment.
"OK, so best in sciences;Adedeji Toba". In few minutes the ceremony was over and students were left to dance till they got tired.
Folake arrived Dominic high few minutes principal Stanley's speech. She entered the hall trying to find Peju, when she could not, she asked for the principal's office. Inside the principal's office stood a table ,some chairs, books, trophy shelf, and portraits on the wall. Principal Stanley was seated, busy with the year book. He was smiling with satisfaction as he flipped the pages. A knock on his office door interrupted him. He called the person in. Folake entered greeting,
"hello Mrs...?"He asked.
"Jacobs sir,Jacobs"Folake giggled.
"Oh! I'm sorry madam, just that I never seen you around. My apologies ma'am," he apologized.
"No problem sir. I was quite frequent when the last principal was here, my son Tony graduated from this highly esteemed school too" Folake pointed out.
The principal smiled and asked if she wanted to explain Peju's absence from the ceremony. Folake was dumbfounded.
"Wh- what?!Peju was not around?? Th-that's not right. She left as early as 7.00am".
The principal frowned as she stuttered.
"Are you sure? She was nowhere to be found at the ceremony," he told her.
Folake jump up alarmed "Of course I'm sure, She left the house with... with Dauda." She paused
"Dauda!! I knew it!".
Folake raced out of the office, Principal Stanley followed her. In the car ,She dialed Dauda's number twice and it rang out,
"oh my God... this can't be happening"she lamented as she called him again, "Hello?" a someone received the call."Dauda! what the hell do you think you are doing? Where on earth did you take my daughter to? I swear,I'll kill you. Wher...","This is not Dauda, if Dauda is the owner of this line, then you need to come to 7th street, it's an emergency, ma" the voice interrupted, saying 'ma' as an afterthought.
Folake chuckled with disbelieve, "Is this funny to you? Give the phone to Peju now! In fact, where are you?. The receiver gave the address, Folake told Akani; her driver the address. Principal Stanley stood with confusion as the car disappeared.
In a small dark room with only a tiny window that gave air and light, was Peju, hugging her legs tightly as she sobbed, the image of Dauda's body soaked in blood kept coming back. She rocked and pinched herself hoping it was all a dream. He was just protecting her, he did not deserve to die. Dauda had so many plans, he was going to shake earth, he was her friend. She cried harder startling the kidnappers. Felix, a member of the gang, spoke from the other room, "stop that cry now!! it's getting noisy."
Peju ignored him. He entered Peju's cell with rage as if to hit her but she shrank with great fear crying louder. Irritated, he looked at her "I'm not going to hit you, I know you are sad, just stop upsetting everyone."
She cried even more but now, he had compassion. She was trembling and untidy . He should be nice, after all they had done enough in ruining the day for her.
"Where were you guys heading to?" He asked trying to be nice.
"Is it your birthday? Happy birthday" he continued," I should give you a gift. I am sorry for ruining your birthday."
He dipped his hands into Peju's bag; that was with him. "Oh here! happy birthday!! " he presented Peju's Diary. Seeing it, Peju snatched it from him.
"I knew you'd like it." he said with a big grin. He left Peju holding tight to the book. At the side of the book was a pen. She removed it, opened the book and entered "Dauda," she paused, then tapped the book in deep thought of what to write, looked at the name again as she shred fresh tears.
Bode Jacobs; Peju's father is a doctor, well known for his successful surgical operations. Today was different for him, he was not as busy as every other day and he got himself wishing he attended his little girl's graduation. He was aware of his irresponsibility towards Peju. When Toni was in secondary school, he never missed an activity. He was there. When Peju came along, he got a new job that took him to Bauchi far away from Lagos where his family based. For a while he communicated with his his family especially his daughter well, but he got busier, richer and had lesser time. Peju got tired of waiting for his calls. Even when he was home for vacations, she withdrew to herself and when that educated driver came, she was closer to him than any other person. Now, he was staring at his cellphone like he was excepting a call. He swifted his attention away from it and almost immediately the Phone rang. He smiled as he picked, but his smile faded as soon as he heard Folake wailing. She told him Dauda was dead and Peju was missing. It felt like a prank was being played on him, he so much waited for his wife to laugh out and scream "gotcha!!" but Folake was still wailing."
Folake go to a police station now,I'm coming soon." He declared. He dropped his cellphone, rushed into Chief of surgery office to take permission.
